Photo of Betula nigra Heritage form by Bob Gutowski

Photo by Bob Gutowski

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Betula nigra Heritage

Scientific Name: Betula nigra 'Cully'

Also Known As

  • Betula nigra 'Cully' Heritage®
  • Betula nigra 'Heritage'
  • Betula nigra Heritage®
  • Cully River Birch
  • Heritage River Birch

Plant type

tree

size

  • H: 30'-80'
  • W: 25'-40'

planting zones

  • 4a-9b

More Options

Betula nigra Heritage plant details

Betula nigra Heritage is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous tree with green foliage. In spring flowers emerge followed by brown fruit. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and even moisture - regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant, verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Betula nigra Heritage

Plant type: tree
Plant family: betulaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 25 FT - 40 FT - wide, 30 FT - 80 FT - tall
Uses: fall color, peeling bark, pyramidal, rain garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Betula nigra Heritage

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: heat, humidity, verticillium wilt and wind
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This exquisite form of river birch is an enthusiastic, fast-growing cultivar which quickly becomes a 40-60' tree. It can be grown as a single trunk or multi-trunked tree, its most notable feature is its pinky-cream to dark-tan bark which peels in strips to reveal a beige-white inner bark. This tree is beautiful as a specimen or as part of a streamside or pond planting. The foliage of this tree is also larger and shinier than the species. It was discovered in St. Louis, Missouri by Earl Cully. We have it listed as under its plant patent name of 'Heritage', though it appears that the correct cultivar should be 'Cully'. S/M-W PP4409
Discovered growing in St. Louis, Missouri by Earl Cully of Heritage Nurseries, a tough beauty, tolerating extreme heat and cold with great cultural adaptability and disease-resistance. 'Cully' is vigorous, sometimes multi-trunked, and will develop exciting exfoliating multi-colored rough bark early on: salmon, cinnamon-pink, champagne, and tan, revealing a creamy white inner bark! Dark green and leathery leaves are toothed and diamond-shaped, turning yellow in autumn. Fine in wet soil or in drought, well-draining soil or in clay. It aims to please. Place it where you can pore over the bark in winter.
Selected for its attractive green foliage and lighter colored bark. Cream, orange and pink colors appear as the surface bark peels. Conical to ovate growth habit. Better resistance to Bronze birch borer than white bark birches. Yellow fall color. Growth Rate fast
Selected by Earl Cully almost 20 years ago for its outstanding peeling bark, extreme hardiness, resistance to borers, and ability to grow in waterlogged or dry soils. Whether you clump them in a container or grow them as singles, this is among the easiest of plants to finish: even our smallest liners can grow to 5-6 ft. in a single season. Named Urban Tree of The Year for 2002 by the Society of Municipal Arborists.
Slender, fast growth. Peeling Bark. Yellow fall color. Resistant to bronze birch borer. Zones 4-8.

Gardening facts about Betula nigra Heritage plant

How to Grow Betula nigra Heritage

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - dappled shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • acidic
    • adaptable
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant
    • wind tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Fruit

    • brown
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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